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  Peter Stauffer writes:

  This chart came about because of the problems I have had ( caused by the language and cultural differences ) when trying to buy kites from India.   The chart is the result of discussions with Asghar Belim at the 2001 Festival of the Winds.   It is an attempt to overcome these difficulties and enable fliers to get easier access to these wonderful fighter kites from India.

1. SHAPE:- self explanatory
2. SIZE:- approximate sizes are given in Metric and Imperial
3. BAMBOO:- No 2 is the same quality as No1 but it has not been smoothed down. No3 is that you generally find in the kites that are bought and flown on the streets in India.
4. SAIL:- Pattern and fighting are a better quality paper then normal.

  Here are the results of my endeavours to get the explanations for the Indian words used in the kite chart.

  To the question that was asked about postage costs.   Where possible if someone who is going to India, brings back the kites with them on the plane in a cardboard box.   If this is not possible I have found sending the kites by slow boat to China ( surface mail ) is the next cheapest.   I have also found that it is not worth while to buy under 100 kites.   Even though the kites are packed properly there will be a small number of kites damaged.   This is par for the course.   I just repair them and they are the kites I fly first.

Some examples of kites I have bought and what I bought them for.

For a good looking kite to catch peoples eye:- CHARI, PONA, No1, PATTERN

For fighting:- PATA, ADA, No2, FIGHTING

For kids workshops:- CHARI, WALA, No3, NORMAL

Asghar Balim's E-mail asgharbelim2001@yahoo.com

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